A meta-analysis from the STAR-I, STAR-II and STAR-III trials on MINIject® was presented at the 34th International Congress of German Ophthalmic Surgeons (DOC) by Prof. Dr med. Marc Schargus (Asklepios Klinik Nord, Hamburg). It was entitled, “Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma Who Consistently Achieve Low Intraocular Pressures (≤18 mmHg) up to Two-years after Implantation with Supraciliary Drainage Device – a Posthoc meta-analysis from STAR-I, STAR-II and STAR-III trials”.
In the STAR trials, MINIject® was implanted in a standalone procedure in patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma who were followed up to 2 years. This data was pooled and a sub-analysis was performed in patients who presented for 2-year follow-up who had no subsequent reintervention. The data showed that 70% of these patients were able to sustain low levels of diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) <18mmHg at each semi-annual visit. These patients achieved a mean 45% reduction in IOP to 12.5mmHg at 2 years, from medicated baseline of 23.2mmHg. The acclaimed Advanced Glaucoma Intervention (AGIS) study[1] showed that sustaining consistently low IOP (<18mmHg) was correlated with slowing the progression of glaucoma close to zero.
In addition to the reduction in IOP, Marc Schargus presented that 45% of patients were able to become medication-free at 24 months. Overall, there was a 58% reduction in glaucoma medication use.
The pooled meta-analysis also presented a favorable safety profile, including no bleb management or needling required, low rates of hypotony (2.4% across 3 trials) and minimal endothelial cell loss (6% across 3 trials at 2 years).
[1] “The advanced glaucoma intervention study (AGIS): 7. The relationship between control of intraocular pressure and visual field deterioration.” Am J Ophthalmol. 2000 Oct; 130(4): 429-40 https://www.ajo.com/article/s0002-9394(00)00538-9/fulltext
